Back to the grind already?

Such a great summer, and today is the first day of, dare I say it, FALL. I know, I know, it is a beautiful season, with the leaves changing color, the pumpkins all over the place, and Halloween (actually that would be Reformation Day for you Lutherans). But Fall only means one thing for me, WINTER is just around the corner here in northern Michigan. Sure, it is a time to cheer the Buckeyes, rub the scarlet and gray in the wounds of the U of M Wolverines, and to take in the last few rays of sunshine and warmth. But Fall is a passing fancy here. We will soon be in for deep snow, absent members off hunting deer, and the return of gray and cloudy days, long nights, and whiteouts.

I guess I shouldn't fret so much. After all, it is still the middle of September. But you will remember that we got buried last year in October, and it did not go away until April. That is way too long. Heck, the youth even went to a Corn Maze at the end of October, and we had to walk it in the snow. Yuck! May God be gentler on us this year!

Anyway, Mary is back at school, with a fresher spirit, more computer skills, and a handful of new electronic toys to help her in her work. She is coming home each day a bit more relaxed, and more positive than last year. That is good for her, her health and the sanity of the household. Allison is back at school, finally in her much-waited-for program. She will be tested well this year. David, well, David is David. Still hoping to finish his associates degree, looking for a job, and enjoying his music. Angela is hoping to buy a home yet this Fall, and settle into the American Dream. Me? Well, I am still trying to get back to work, go to meetings, and continue leading this congregation down the way of the Gospel The ELCA's decision this summer does not help me do that, but family will be family.

So, I guess it is back to the grind. Continue the fight, the run, or whatever we are calling it these days, and praying that we can all keep our healthcare in tact.

A Facelift Is in the Making

Change is in the making, this fall at Immanuel Lutheran Church. One of our newer members is a landscaper and he would like to help us make some changes in the landscape around the parsonage, the annex, the church, and the parking lot. I am so excited about what we are going to do, I cannot contain myself. This treasured member will donate the labor, Mary, the church and I will buy the plants, and watch how the space around this place will be transformed. We are ven thinking of installing a watering system next spring.

On a lesser note, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has approved the ordination of men and women you live in permanent same-sex relationships, commonly referred to as gays and lesbians. I was not in favor of this move, but it has been done, and now the congregation will have to make some decisions. I know that we are divided on this issue, and that one member has already expressed his opinion of never coming back to ILC. We will be discussing this issue the next several months, but I believe no action will be taken.

On a lighter side, Mary and I have been looking at houses in the area. We found a very nice one this morning, and we will be talking more about it. At present it is being rented, something we would plan on doing until I retire. There are so many things yet to consider about buying a house we would live in after retirement. I cannot even get used to the idea of that word, "retirement." Stay tuned for more on this issue.

What, August already?

OK, so it doesn't officially come until tomorrow, but the summer is flying by. What a grand time with our friends from Argentina during the month of July. We wanted them to feel the gracious hosting they gave us during our tens years of service there, and I think they were impressed. We drank all kinds of different wines from Leelanau County, Michigan, we visited Niagara Falls, both from the Canadian and the US side, we showed them a bit of Michigan beauty and history when we visited Mackinaw Island, and they saw all of the mid-belt of the US when we traveled from Miami to Michigan. They got to see the Cincinnati Reds play St. Louis in Cincy, they watched the Traverse City Beach Bums on artificial turf, they climbed the sand dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and we watched the sun set over Lake Michigan from the heights of Peterson Park in Northport. Quite a ride I must say. One of the highlights was the Argentina asado we put on with their help for the NW Lower Michigan Synod Global Mission Committee, early in July. Everyone, including the bishop, was impressed with the food, the graciousness of our friends, and the wine (oh yes, always the wine).

But, good things come to an end, only to open the door for other good things. I returned to the task of painting the caboose, which will be ready for the open house on August 7th. I will be including pictures of the caboose next week. Mary and I both returned to our diets, that are going quite well, and now we are preparing some goodies for the Church's bake sale at the Suttons Bay Art Fair this Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2. The Global Mission Committee has asked me to represent them before the national assembly of the Lutheran Church in Honduras in November. I am hoping that Mary can go as well. It will be a fun time, even with all the problems that are happening there. Our anniversary is coming up soon, and Mary and I have agreed that we need to get away more often. Maybe we can take off to some interesting spot this year.

Angela is back at work with a nice bonus and raise, looking to make some changes in her life. David is doing what David usually does, work, music, and spending time on the computer. Allison is getting ready to begin a new year at Ferris State University in the program she has longed to complete. She will enter in August, go for a whole year, and then spend an unpaid year of internship. After that she is guaranteed a job, unless Government Health Care ruins what we have (sorry for the political commentary).
Mary and I are reflecting on retirement. I will be taking a course at Luther Seminary, Minneapolis, in September to train me for interim ministries. We are thinking seriously about retiring in or around Suttons Bay. At least that is the thought of the week. Been looking at houses in the area and thinking about what to do during winters up here.

Wait a minute, does August begin tomorrow? Oh my! How the summer has gone by, and still so many things yet to build.

The shock is beginning to fade

Turning 60 is bad, that goes without saying, but the shock does begin to wear off, at times. One day later and I am still bothered by my age, but there are so many other things that take up my time that I cannot always dwell on it. that's good. Nonetheless, it will take some time to get over it, like maybe ten more years when I enter a real shocker, the 70's (sorry Betty Lou).
For now, I will just do what I have to do, like continue helping pay my kids bills, fix their cars, and pull them out of financial woes, work till the cows come home, and try to convince Mary that she needs to make a decision about where we might live after retirement. That last one takes more time and patience then the other concerns. There are still things God has in mind, and I guess I need to be about doing those things as well.
In the mean time, I will pray that God continue to help me get used to this "getting older" stuff and remind me that Easter was not just a one time thing.